Morality hums to himself as he opens a big, colorful door. He steps into a room filled with sound; little Sing was practicing her vocals. Disruptive and Arrogant were fighting over a toy. Excitement was talking the ear off of Gender Expression, who looked over at Morality with something akin to relief in their eyes.
"Excitement, do you mind finishing your story later? Mx. Expression needs to have a chat with Mr. Morality, okay?" Expression said, standing up and leaving the child to her own devices. Morality chuckled as Expression let out a deep sigh. "I've had a morning. I've basically given up on those two," they gesture to the fighting toddlers, "and I can't find Shy anywhere. Oh, and Slob completely destroyed my purse."
Morality smiled sympathetically. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be late, but there was this puppy-"
Expression held up their hands, "I don't care. Will you, just, help me?"
"Of course." Morality said. He was very good with kids while Expression, well, Expression wasn't the worst with children, but they certainly needed help every now and then. There was nothing wrong with that, Morality didn't mind.
Morality was able to get the children under control within only a few minutes, and only a few hours later, it was nap time. Morality sat down with a sigh, smiling at all the sleeping kiddos. Expression was drinking from a water bottle. They handed it to Morality and then tied up their bright fire red hair up into a bun. Then they rolled up their sleeves, showing off their many tattoos.
Morality brightened, "Did you get a new one?"
"No, this is Autumn coloring on me, because the others were being too loud." Expression gestured to the red and green scribbles on their arms. Autumn was one of their kiddos, she had sensory problems and sometimes coloring helped to distract her from all of her surroundings. They used her Established name, only because her parents asked them to. Most kids liked to go by their Side name, shouting it out for everyone to hear. Sometimes people didn't like to go by their Side name; that's what Established names were for.
Morality chuckled, "Well, it almost looks like a cloud. I wouldn't doubt you if you said that was your newest tattoo."
"That's because you wouldn't doubt anyone." Expression grumbled, "You're too trusting."
"There's nothing wrong with being a little trusting." Morality replied, having to look up at the short person. "Trust is what makes relationships; if you don't trust people, you'll never be able to have a healthy and long-lasting relationship with them."
Expression gagged, "No thanks. I'm fine on my own."
Morality pouted, "Press, we talked about this… Are you sure you really don't want to find your other Sides?"
Expression shifted on their feet before sitting down next to him. The chairs were made for baby butts, so it wasn't super comfy. But they were both used to it, after working here for so long. Expression scowled and crossed their arms over their flat chest.
"No, I really don't. If I fuse with someone, then they'll dictate how we dress, how we present ourselves. I don't want that." Expression huffed, "What if my other Sides are cis? What if they try to squash me. There's always one Side that disappears, what if that's me?"
Morality put a hand on Expression's shoulder, sympathetic, "Hey, I know it's scary, giving yourself away to total strangers, but … they aren't strangers. Your other Sides are the people that were made for you. They're not going to force you to be cis. They're going to listen to you, and let you dictate how your Established will express themself."
Expression shrugged, "I can't take that risk, you know? This is too important to me. I'd rather be alone and happy than fused and miserable."
Morality nodded, giving them a sad smile, "That's your choice. I won't ask you about it anymore."
"Somehow…" Expression started to grin, "That feels like a lie, Mr. Morality."
Morality gasped, holding a hand to his chest, "Hey now! I'm only looking out for my favorite kiddo!"
Expression rolled their eyes, but chuckled, "And what about you? Have you been looking?"
Morality's smile only brightened, "I have! Haven't found anyone, though. I don't really know where to look, honestly. Who would be a good counterpart for me?"
Expression studied him for a moment, looking him up and down, before finally saying, "I dunno, but you would need someone to straighten you out."
"We both know that I'll never straighten, regardless of who I fuse with," Morality said, earning a snort from Expression. Morality thought for a moment, wondering who his other Sides would be. "No matter what, they'll be wonderful. I'm excited to meet them someday. I know that whoever they are, they're amazing."
Expression leaned back and stared at him wistfully, "I wish I was you. You're so … open, so willing to meet them. Aren't you a little scared?"
Instantly, Morality shook his head, "Not at all. I trust that they are good, and they will love me the way that the universe designed them to. We're meant to be together. That means something, doesn't it?"
Expression shrugged, "I guess." They looked down at their arm, covered in marker and tattoo ink. Then, they looked over to Morality, "Do you want to come with me to get my next tattoo?"
"Sure. Do you know when you want to get it done?" Morality asked, "I can be there for Moral support."
Expression groaned at the joke and then said, "I dunno, probably sometime later in the month. I gotta get my paycheck first. These things ain't cheap."
"What are you gonna get?" Morality asked.
"Flowers, I think." Expression said, tracing the outlines of one of their tattoos, "I have a lot of dark tats. I got, like, four dedicated to viking metal. I want to have one that's just … pretty."
Morality nodded, "I like that. You should do cats!"
"Cats?"
"Big, fat, fluffy ones!" Morality nodded, "Since I would never get a tattoo, you should get one for me, and it should be cats, and it should say 'I am purrrfect' with little hearts."
Expression laughed and nodded, "Okay, Morie, I'll get the cats. Flowers can be another day, huh?"
"Really!?"
"Sure, why not?"
Just then, Insomnia sat up and waddled over to them, blankie in hand. "I am done sleeping." He informed them.
Morality nodded seriously, "Okay, you did very good today. You slept a whole hour! Do you want a cookie?"
Insomnia nodded and they had cookies and milk quietly while the others continued their nap time. It was a typical day for Morality; nothing was ever really new around here. They kept things interesting, but, at the same time, something in Morality's heart ached for something new.
He knew what it was, too, what it could only be.
He really wanted to fuse.
Tell me what you think!